HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-13-059 - Proposal to Install Sanitary Sewer on Maple Hill Drive - Complete
REPORT TO:
Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
June 17, 2013
SUBMITTED BY:
Barbara Robinson, 519-741-2200 x 7410
PREPARED BY: Barbara Robinson, 519-741-2200 x 7410
WARD(S) INVOLVED:
Ward 8
DATE OF REPORT:
June 12, 2013
REPORT NO.: INS 13-059
SUBJECT: Proposal to Install Sanitary Sewer on Maple Hill Drive
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement with Nick Georghiades
with respect to the financing of a sanitary sewer on Maple Hill Road to the satisfaction of
the City Solicitor; and further
That the City undertake to advise the neighbourhood that a sanitary sewer will be
available on the street in calendar year 2014; and further
That all costs with respect to the transaction, including legal fees, mailing fees and the
costs associated with a Cross Border Agreement with the City of Waterloo, be borne by
Nick Georghiades; and further
That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute any documentation in this regard
required by and to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor, including a Cross Border
Agreement with the City of Waterloo; and further
That the City Solicitor be instructed to bring a by-law to council, upon completion of the
project, authorizing the collection of fees in the amount of each benefitting land owner’s
pro-rated share of the costs, upon any application for septic system replacement by such
owner or such earlier time at the discretion of the benefitting land owner.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
N/A
REPORT:
City Engineering staff have been approached by Nick Georghiades, the owner of 84 Maple Hill
Drive regarding the installation of a sanitary sewer. Mr. Georghiades is proposing to build a
large single family dwelling at the end of Maple Hill Drive that backs onto Westmount Golf Club.
To build the house, Mr. Georghiades wishes to construct the sanitary sewer as the layout of the
lot makes the construction of a septic system and tile bed problematic. Mr. Georghiades has
offered to pay for the sewer, and laterals to property line, in the first instance, on the expectation
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that any property owner that connects to the sewer in the future will pay a pro-rated share of the
cost of the sewer. The construction of the sanitary sewer will benefit 18 or 20 property owners
(to be confirmed) as the entire street is currently on septic systems.
After careful review, engineering staff has agreed that there is a public benefit to the City in
removing these private septic systems for several reasons, including the potential impact of
aging septic systems on the aquifer. Portions of the street appear to be within a Region of
Waterloo Source Water Protection Area as there are water supply duty wells on the Westmount
Golf Course near Maple Hill Drive.
The project will involve constructing a new sanitary sewer, manholes and laterals to the property
line. The project will not include upgrades to the watermain or storm system (which are not
required at this time), nor sidewalks, but will include a new asphalt roadway.
This project has an Opinion of Probable Cost of $300,000 as a Class C estimate (contingency
factor of 40 to 60%). If there are 18 benefitting properties, the cost will be approximately
$17,000 per lot (actual costs will be charged once the project is completed). Costs to connect to
the system on private property (from property line to the house) are the responsibility of the
homeowner. Costs will be divided among all potentially benefitting properties, regardless of
how many residents intend to connect.
Residents will not be required to connect immediately. However, once the sanitary sewer is
available, installation of new septic systems, or significant repairs to existing septic systems, will
not be permitted. Residents will be obliged to connect to the sewer in this case.
Once a property owner connects, the fees associated with connection would be remitted to the
City on behalf of Mr. Georghiades to assist in defraying his costs of construction. Due to the age
of the subdivision, it is anticipated that the septic systems will all need to be replaced sometime
in the next 15 to 20 years. The City has required in the agreement a “sunset” clause wherein
the obligation to pay for a connection ends 20 years after the commencement date.
In order to provide an incentive to residents to connect to the sewer immediately, Mr.
Georghiades will provide a 7.5% early connection discount. Mr. Georghiades has advised that
to date three other property owners have agreed to connect into the system while installation is
occurring.
To document the agreement, and have the authority to collect and remit the fees to Mr.
Georghiades, Legal Services are recommending proceeding under section 391 of the Municipal
Act. A by-law will be brought to City Council regarding the recoupment of the costs after
construction, once the total construction and administration costs are known.
The arrangement will also require a Cross Border Agreement with the City of Waterloo; City of
Waterloo staff has indicated that this will not be a problem. An Administrative Fee of 10% of
final construction costs will be collected by the City of Kitchener to cover engineering, legal and
other fees and costs.
If the project is approved, it is anticipated that the sewer will be designed in 2013 and
constructed in the fall of 2013 or spring of 2014.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Any staff costs associated with overseeing this project will be captured in the administration fee.
The City will have a new sanitary sewer to maintain; however, new sewers that are well
constructed typically do not require much maintenance early in their life.
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ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
This project may contribute to both quality of life (investing in maintaining basic services) and
environment (protecting our natural environment).
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
A letter describing the proposed project was hand delivered by City staff to residents on Maple
Hill Drive on May 31, 2013. Residents were invited to appear as a delegation at the June 17
Committee meeting, or to call the City’s Director of Engineering with questions, concerns or to
indicate whether or not they are in favour of the project. A copy of the letter is included as
Appendix A to this report.
COMMUNICATIONS:
A public open house will be scheduled for residents that will be directly affected by the project
(as on all construction projects), prior to construction.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that Council approve the recommendation so that this matter can proceed.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Pauline Houston, Deputy CAO
Infrastructure Services Department
Attachment: Appendix A – Letter to Resident/Property Owners
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